At Gedney Church End Primary Academy, we believe that computing provides children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to participate confidently, creatively and safely in an increasingly digital world. Technology is an important part of children's lives and their future, so our ambition is for every child to become a confident and responsible user of technology who understands its possibilities, limitations and risks.

Our Computing curriculum develops children's learning across the three interconnected areas of computer science, information technology and digital literacy. From their earliest experiences in EYFS through to Year 6, children progressively develop their understanding of how technology works, how it can be used purposefully and creatively, and how they can make safe and responsible choices when using it. 

Computer Science

We want children to develop into confident computational thinkers and creators, rather than simply consumers of technology. Children begin by exploring instructions, sequences, patterns and problem solving before developing their understanding of algorithms and programming. As they progress through the academy, they learn to design, create, test and debug increasingly complex programs, applying concepts such as repetition, selection and variables and using computational thinking to solve problems. 

Children are encouraged to persevere when something does not work as expected, identify and correct errors and refine their solutions. Through this process, computing develops children's logical thinking, creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills.

Information Technology and Digital Creation

Children learn that technology can be a powerful tool for creating, communicating and presenting ideas. Opportunities to apply digital skills are meaningfully connected to learning across the curriculum where appropriate. Children progressively experience digital photography, animation, film making, audio production and other forms of digital content creation. 

As children become increasingly independent, they learn to select and use technology purposefully, considering which digital tools are most appropriate for a particular task. Our curriculum includes, for example, stop-motion animation in KS1, film and animation in LKS2, and increasingly purposeful audio and video production in UKS2, alongside programming and digital control. 

Digital Literacy and Online Safety

Keeping children safe in a digital world is an essential part of our Computing curriculum. Online safety is taught progressively and age-appropriately, beginning in EYFS with safe technology habits, trusted adults and making safe choices. As children grow, they develop their understanding of personal information, passwords, digital footprints, responsible communication, online relationships, digital security and the reliability and influence of online content. 

Our aim extends beyond teaching children a set of online safety rules. We want children to develop the knowledge, judgement and critical thinking to make informed choices when using technology. By the time they leave us, children should understand how to behave respectfully online, how to protect themselves and their information, how to critically consider the content they encounter and when and where to seek help. 

Computing and our SPARK Values

Our SPARK values are reflected throughout Computing. Children develop Self-belief as increasingly confident users and creators of technology, Perseverance as they solve problems and debug their work, and Aspiration as they discover what technology can enable them to create and achieve. Respect and Kindness are particularly important in developing responsible digital citizens who communicate appropriately, consider the impact of their online behaviour and understand their responsibilities towards others.

Ultimately, we want children to leave Gedney Church End able to use technology confidently, purposefully, creatively, critically and safely. They should have secure foundations in computational thinking and digital literacy alongside an understanding that technology is not simply something to consume, but something they can question, control and use to create.